The company's journey in Paris has been a slow climb. Global recognition must ultimately be earned through consumers, said the founder.

　　"The first thing is whether you can sell," he said. "If consumers don't buy your products, everything else is castles in the air."

　　The company has been building its presence step by step. At Le Bon Marche, one of the world's most prestigious department stores owned by LVMH, Icicle initially started with only two small display racks. After strong performance, the space expanded to three times its original size.

　　"The presence in Paris is like we have set up a camp at the foot of Everest," Ye said. "We have not reached the summit yet, but we have built our base here."

　　The company has also built a substantial domestic foundation. Icicle generates annual sales of more than 300 million euro ($334 million), growing at a double-digit rate annually and operates more than 200 stores across 100 Chinese cities.

　　"For now, in China, Icicle is influential — it is a relatively successful brand," he said. "Over the past 30 years, consumers in China know our products are not inexpensive, but have kept choosing us because they see the value. We have not let them down."

　　Yet Ye remains cautious about the company's global position.

　　The company strengthened its international ambitions earlier this year when Kering became a minority investor.

　　The partnership provides Icicle access to expertise in leather goods, eyewear, jewelry development and international retail operations as the company expands beyond apparel.

　　Accessories represent a major opportunity. While accessories can account for a significant share of revenue at many luxury houses, Icicle's business remains heavily concentrated in clothing, with more than 90 percent of sales coming from apparel.

　　"The growth potential for accessories is enormous," Ye said.